The Bengals' search for defensive depth yielded Arizona Cardinals free agent outside linebacker Darryl Blackstock, who agreed to a one-year contract Monday, March 10. Blackstock, a 6-foot-3, 244-pound fourth-year veteran, was a 2005 third-round draft pick from the University of Virginia.
Blackstock's three-year totals for Arizona included 44 tackles and four sacks in 46 games with two starts. He's expected to back up starting outside linebackers Dhani Jones and Rashad Jeanty, and strengthen the special teams coverage units.
Profootballtalk.com reported that Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson punched head coach Marvin Lewis during halftime of a Jan. 2006 playoff again against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The website cited a clip posted on YouTube in which former Cincinnati defensive tackle Shaun Smith, now a Cleveland Brown, told a group of Browns Backers the story of the incident. The clip has since been removed from YouTube.
Quoting an unidentified source, Profootballtalk.com reported that in Jan. 2006: "The last few minutes of intermission were ticking away, when the players were startled by the sight and sound of a helmet slamming against the glass pane of the training room door. Inside, receiver Chad Johnson and receivers coach Hue Jackson were engaged in an altercation. At one point, Johnson was seen holding Jackson in a headlock. "Coach Marvin Lewis entered the training room to intervene, and Johnson (per the source) took a swing at him."
The team denied any such incident, and Johnson called a press conference for the sole purpose of claiming that nothing happened.
The Cincinnati Bengals lost their leading tackler Friday, March 7, when linebacker Landon Johnson agreed to terms on a three-year contract with the Carolina Panthers.
Johnson visited the Panthers on Thursday and agreed to join the NFC South team today, said his agent, Andy Simms.
"He's excited to join the Carolina Panthers and further his career," Simms said. "He truly enjoyed his four years in Cincinnati."
Johnson led the Bengals in tackles three of the past four seasons.
ESPN is reporting the Bengals Defensive End Justin Smith has signed deal with the San Franciso 49ers. The deal is expected to be worth $45 million that included $20 million in guarantees.
Smith had played seven season so for the Bengals. He was the 4th pick overall in the 2007 draft out of Missouri. The Bengals had kept him last year by placing the Franchise Tag on him. Although Smith did not have an exceptional season last year, he had 43 1/2 sacks while with the Bengals. Smith has a reputation for having a big motor an being a very hard worker on and off the filed. franchise tag by the Bengals in 2007. Smith despite his number of sack, he only managed 2 sacks last season. Smith has played in 16 games every season except his rookie campaign when he made 15 appearances.
Just when it looked as if the Cincinnati Bengals had hit a home run in trading for defensive tackle Shaun Rogers, they apparently struck out on a pitch from the Cleveland Browns.
The Detroit News claimed late Friday night that the Lions' trade of Rogers to the Bengals has been called off.
Michigan-based Booth Newspapers then reported the Browns were set to acquire Rogers from the Lions in exchange for cornerback Leigh Bodden and a third-round draft pick. The Browns need a nose tackle for their 3-4 defense, while Detroit is desperate at cornerback.
The Associated Press, ESPN and the Bengals.com Web site, plus the Lions organization, reported the Bengals-Lions trade was consummated. Rogers was allegedly headed to Cincinnati in exchange for the Bengals' third- and fifth-round picks in April.
Free safety Madieu Williams became the first ex-Bengal of the 2008 NFL free agency period when he agreed to terms with the Minnesota Vikings on a six-year, $33 million contract on Friday, Feb. 29. That makes him one of the highest-paid safeties in the NFL.
It’s leap year, and Williams leaped into the upper echelon of NFL riches for a defensive back. Even though I know it won’t happen, I envision Madieu lounging in a bath tub with a big, fat cigar and derby hat similar to Leon Spinks after Spinks’ heavyweight victory over Muhammad Ali in 1978. Williams is much too classy for that.
The signing marks a reunion between Williams and Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier. Frazier was the Bengals’ defensive coordinator in 2004 when Williams was drafted in the second round out of the University of Maryland.
The Cincinnati Bengals took a significant step toward solidifying their offensive line yesterday, and at a significant cost. They designated Stacy Andrews their franchise player and tendered him a one-year contract worth at least $7.455 million while continuing to negotiate a long-term deal.
"This move helps us keep our core players together," coach Marvin Lewis said in a statement released by the team.
Andrews, 26, is eligible to become a free agent Feb. 29, but by using their franchise tag on him the Bengals virtually assure that he will remain with them in 2008. They have the right to match any offer from another team, and if they decide not to match it, the signing club must give the Bengals their first-round pick in the 2008 and '09 drafts.
The Cincinnati Bengals will be hunting for defense at the NFL Scouting Combine this week.
You name it — tackle, end and linebacker — the Bengals need more impact players to boost their 27th-ranked unit. After tagging offensive tackle Stacy Andrews as their franchise player, the Bengals need to address their defensive front seven because veteran Justin Smith will likely bolt in free agency. Defensive ends Chris Long (Virginia) and Vernon Gholston (Ohio State), tackles Glenn Dorsey (LSU) and Sedrick Ellis (Southern Cal); and linebackers Keith Rivers (Southern Cal), Ali Highsmith (LSU), Dan Connor (Penn State) and Curtis Lofton (Oklahoma) are on their wish list.
